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California scuba diving boat fire kills 34 people: What we know so far

The area where a commercial scuba boat departed before catching fire in Santa Barbara, California, Sunday. Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images

Authorities searched Sunday the offices and 2 remaining vessels of the Southern California company that owned the scuba diving boat that caught fire and killed 34 people on Sept. 2, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The latest: The FBI and other agencies conducted the search on Truth Aquatics’ properties as part of investigations into whether any crimes had been committed, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Lt. Erik Raney said, per AP, which notes that 33 bodies have now been recovered. Raney told AP the search for the missing body was suspended this weekend because of strong winds and rough seas.

The dive teams are going to get together Monday to develop a plan. We’re hoping they’re back in the water on Tuesday."
Santa Barbara County sheriff’s Lt. Erik Raney to AP

What we know so far, per AP:

  • 39 passengers and crew had departed aboard the boat Conception from Santa Barbara’s Channel Islands Harbor on Saturday for a Labor Day weekend scuba-diving trip.
  • The fire aboard the diving vessel Conception started about 3 a.m. local time as the boat was anchored in Platt Harbor, near the coast of Santa Cruz Island.
  • 33 people sleeping below deck and 1 crew member were killed in the fire.
  • 5 crew members were already awake and jumped off the bridge, Coast Guard Capt. Monica Rochester said at a press conference.
  • By the time the Coast Guard got the mayday call, the boat was already engulfed in flames.
  • Authorities released audio of the distress call to California news outlets in which a person claiming to be the captain tells says he "can’t breathe." He later says there’s "no escape hatch for any of the people on board."

What we don't know: The cause of the fire, and whether the crew tried to help any of the passengers.

Editor's note: This article has been updated with the latest information on the tragedy.

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